MADRID, Spain.— The United States is now the second country with the most spanish speakersonly behind Mexico, according to the report “Spanish: A living language 2024”.
This report by David Fernández, professor at the University of Alcalá, in Spain, highlights that the United States, with just over 57.4 million Spanish speakersovertook Colombia, with about 52.6 million, as the second country with the most speakers.
- Mexico has about 132 million.
- Spain more than 48 million.
- Argentina about 47 million.
- Venezuela and Peru 34 million each.
- Chile 20 million.
- Ecuador and Guatemala 17 million each.
- Bolivia 12 million.
In addition, Cuba and the Dominican Republic have around 11 million in each case, almost 10 million Honduras, more than 7 million both Paraguay and Nicaragua, more than 6 million El Salvador, about 5 million Costa Rica, another 4.5 million Panama, just over 3 million both Uruguay and Puerto Rico and about 1.6 million Equatorial Guinea.
These data count those who master it as a native language along with those who have limited competence due to factors such as sharing it with other languages, including indigenous languages, or having learned it, as in the case of migrants arriving in countries such as Spain.
Spanish speakers exceed 600 million for the first time.
Fernández, a doctor in Spanish Language and Literature, worked for 15 years on the report “Spanish in the world” published each year by the Cervantes Institute, a Spanish public entity dedicated to the international dissemination of this language.
The work of the Cervantes Institute, presented yesterday in Madrid, highlights that Spanish speakers exceed 600 million for the first time.
The study places the figure at almost 590 million, “the second most relevant language in the world by number of native speakers and the fourth if those who have it as a second or foreign language are added.”
7.2% of the planet’s inhabitants can currently communicate in Spanish, with varying degrees of proficiency, Fernández details.
The difference between both works is explained by the fact that the professor introduces some changes in indicators such as the percentage of native and non-native speakers, based on studies on the weight of the language in the United States and the European Union, and in the way of counting Spanish students.
Regarding the future of this language, he notes a boom in its teaching in Europe, gradually displacing French as a second foreign language at almost all educational levels.
On the other hand, Brazil accuses the effects of the elimination of the mandatory offer of the Spanish language in education.
And higher education in the United States shows a considerable decrease in Spanish students, which would also occur at other educational levels, the analysis warns.
Furthermore, the new population perspectives of the United Nations moderate the expected growth of potential users of Spanish until the end of the century, while advancing the date on which it will reach its maximum: in 2066 with more than 682 million speakers.
“From then on, the Spanish-speaking community will begin a gradual decline until the end of the century, only partially compensated by the increase in non-native Spanish speakers in the United States,” he emphasizes, until in 2100 the world population will drop to 6.3 percent. who speaks Spanish.
Spanish in figures
- 2066, the year in which the expected growth of potential users of Spanish will reach its maximum until the end of the century, according to the new population perspectives of the United Nations.
- The UN estimates that there will be 682 million Spanish speakers worldwide by 2066.
- 2100, the year in which the world population that speaks Spanish will drop to 6.3 percent, since starting in 2066, “the Spanish-speaking community will begin a gradual decline until the end of the century, only partially compensated by the increase in non-native speakers of Spanish in the United States.”
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**Interview with Professor David Fernández on the Rise of Spanish Speakers Globally**
**Editor:** Welcome, Professor Fernández, and thank you for joining us today. Your recent report, “Spanish: A Living Language 2024,” reveals that the United States now has the second-largest Spanish-speaking population in the world, surpassing Colombia. What was the impetus behind this significant finding?
**David Fernández:** Thank you for having me. The primary driver for this growth in Spanish speakers in the United States is its evolving demographic landscape. With over 57.4 million Spanish speakers in the U.S., we see a blend of native speakers, as well as individuals who have learned it as a second language, particularly among immigrant communities. This diversity reflects the global nature of the language and its integration into everyday American life.
**Editor:** That’s fascinating. The report also indicates that Spanish speakers worldwide have now topped 600 million for the first time. How does this compare to other major languages, and what does it suggest for the future of Spanish?
**David Fernández:** Spanish is now recognized as the second most widely spoken language in terms of native speakers, and when considering those who learn it as a second language, it’s among the top four globally. This demonstrates the increasing importance of Spanish in international communication and trade. The projections we’re seeing suggest a continued boom in the teaching and learning of Spanish, particularly in Europe, where it’s gradually displacing French as the preferred second foreign language at many educational institutions.
**Editor:** You mentioned earlier that the report introduces some changes in how Spanish speakers are counted. Can you elaborate on that?
**David Fernández:** Certainly. The methodology we used takes into account various indicators, such as the percentage of native versus non-native speakers. With the U.S. population being so diverse, we needed to consider the overlap of Spanish with other languages, including indigenous languages among certain communities. This gives a more accurate reflection of the language’s presence globally, particularly in places like the United States.
**Editor:** One last question—what implications does this growth in Spanish-speaking population have for areas like culture, media, and education?
**David Fernández:** The implications are profound. Culturally, we’re witnessing a rich exchange of ideas and traditions as Spanish becomes more embedded in media, literature, and entertainment. In education, the rising number of Spanish speakers necessitates more resources and support for language instruction, which could help foster greater cross-cultural understanding. the increasing prevalence of Spanish will shape economic, cultural, and social dynamics worldwide in the years to come.
**Editor:** Thank you, Professor Fernández, for your insights. It’s clear that the rise of Spanish speakers is more than just a statistic; it represents a shift in global communication and culture.
**David Fernández:** Thank you for having me! It’s an exciting time for the Spanish language and its speakers.
